Managed in cooperation with South Florida Water Management District

Southern Glades WEA consists of over 30,000 acres at the southern end of the Kissimmee-Okeechobee-Everglades basin.  The WEA is located in Miami-Dade County adjacent to the C-111 Canal between Everglades National Park and U.S. 1. The area was acquired to protect wildlife habitat and as part of Everglades restoration. The major natural communities on the Southern Glades WEA are sawgrass marsh, marl prairie, and tree islands. The marl prairies are home to some of the last remaining populations of the endangered Cape Sable seaside sparrow. The tree islands are more tropical in nature than tree islands in the northern part of the Everglades and support more tropical hardwoods and rare plants. Bird watching is popular on Southern Glades, especially along the northwest corner of Aerojet Road. Wading birds are common and include the endangered wood stork and the roseate spoonbill. This area is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. October through April is the best time to see migrating and overwintering birds. In general, hunting on the area is considered poor. Fishing is very good in or along the banks of the C-110 and C-111 canals and there are 4 fishing piers on Aerojet Road. On the area are two hiking trails totaling 16 miles. One begins on CR 424, 1.8 miles west of U.S. 1. The second trail is about two miles west of the first trail. Aerojet Road and the canal levees for the C-111, C-111E, and C-110 canals are available for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Camping and use of ATVs are prohibited.

Visit South Florida Water Management District's information on Southern Glades. View SFWMD's Public Use Guide. View FWC's Regulations Summary for Southern Glades (pdf file) for an area map, hunting seasons, permits, fees, and area regulations.

Return to South Region